On Monday, the ACC released its preseason football poll, with Florida State and Miami leading the way in the voting. In anticipation of the upcoming season, the Technician presents its own ACC preseason football poll, including predictions for conference record, overall record and the player to watch during the 2014 campaign.
ATLANTIC
Florida State (12-0 overall, 8-0 ACC)
ACC Atlantic Preseason Rank: No. 1
Impact Player: Sophomore QB Jameis Winston
Fresh off an NCAA Championship, the Seminoles look primed to run the table for the second consecutive season. With most of the 2013 roster returning to Tallahassee in the fall, head coach Jimbo Fisher’s squad will look to maintain its potency on both sides of the ball. Despite mounds of offseason controversy surrounding 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Winston, the young quarterback will look to secure a spot in the first-ever College Football Playoff and finish the season with a second-consecutive national title.
Clemson (10-2 overall, 7-1 ACC)
ACC Atlantic Preseason Rank: No. 2
Impact Player: Senior DE Vic Beasley
Despite the losses of key playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, notably quarterback Tajh Boyd and wide receiver Sammy Watkins, the Tigers are still set to have a very successful season. Clemson boasts a stout defense led by Beasley and senior defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, one that was ranked in the top 25 in the nation in 2013. The Tigers will aim for another at-large appearance in a BCS bowl.
Louisville (8-4 overall, 5-3 ACC)
ACC Atlantic Preseason Rank – No. 3
Impact Player: Senior DE Lorenzo Mauldin
The loss of head coach Charlie Strong and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will surely hurt the Cardinals moving forward, and the move to a stronger football conference in the ACC certainly won’t help matters. Still, Louisville will move to be one of the better teams in the conference this season, led by a defense that was No. 2 in the nation in 2013.
N.C. State (7-5 overall, 3-5 ACC)
ACC Atlantic Preseason Rank – No. 5
Impact Player: Senior QB Jacoby Brissett
The 3-9 debacle of the 2013 season is still fresh on the minds of many Wolfpack faithful, but head coach Dave Doeren’s group will see great improvement during the upcoming season. Florida-transfer Brissett will bring much-needed stability at the quarterback position, which was a major area of concern last season. With four out-of-conference contests to start the season, State should finish 2014 on the right side of .500 and make its fourth postseason appearance in the past five years.
Syracuse (5-7 overall, 3-5 ACC)
ACC Atlantic Preseason Rank – No. 4
Impact Player: Sophomore QB Terrel Hunt
In 2013, Syracuse prided itself on being a power-running squad. However, the loss of running backs Prince-Tyson Gulley and Jerome Smith will surely damper the Orange’s offensive fire that led the team to a bowl game in 2013. However, Hunt stepped up in a big way for the Orange last year and will continue to produce for Syracuse this season.
Boston College (3-9 overall, 1-7 ACC)
ACC Atlantic Preseason Rank – No. 6
Impact Player: Sophomore RB Myles Willis
The Eagles found themselves in a bowl game at the end of the 2013 season, mostly due to the skill of running back Andre Williams, winner of the Doak Walker Award. However, with Williams headed to the NFL, head coach Steve Addazio’s group is left to pick up the pieces. Willis is a solid replacement at running back, but Boston College is likely to have a rough season ahead.
Wake Forest (2-10 overall, 0-8 ACC)
ACC Atlantic Preseason Rank – No. 7
Impact Player: Sophomore SS Ryan Janvion
During the offseason, the Demon Deacons lost two potent offensive weapons in quarterback Tanner Price and wide receiver Michael Campanaro, which will further hurt the offense that was already ranked outside of the top 100 in the nation. Other than a mid-season meeting with Boston College, chances are slim that Wake earns a conference win in 2014.
COASTAL
Duke (11-1 overall, 7-1 ACC)
ACC Coastal Preseason Rank – No. 2
Impact Player: Senior WR Jamison Crowder
David Cutcliffe, the 2013 AFCA Coach of the Year, will look to rally his troops once again in search of a second consecutive Coastal title. The loss of quarterback Brandon Connette will surely hurt the Blue Devils’ offensive rhythm, but the skill of Crowder will make senior quarterback Anthony Boone look like Peyton Manning. Like last season, the Devils have the slightest chance to run the table, but unlike last season, Cutcliffe’s squad now has confidence and experience to do so.
Miami (10-2 overall, 7-1 ACC)
ACC Coastal Preseason Rank – No. 1
Impact Player: Junior RB Duke Johnson
Last season brought disappointment for the Hurricanes, as the team started 7-0 before dropping three straight and getting blown out by Louisville in the Russell Athletic Bowl. However, Miami will be able to enact revenge on the Cardinals in the first game of the season. With star running back Johnson now completely healthy, Miami will look to meet reigning national champion Florida State in the ACC Championship game at season’s end.
UNC-Chapel Hill (8-4 overall, 5-3 ACC)
ACC Coastal Preseason Rank – No. 4
Impact Player: Junior QB Marquise Williams
Last season, the Tar Heels managed to salvage a respectable season from an ugly start, finishing 7-6 with a demanding bowl win over Cincinnati. This season, the Heels will surge toward the top half of the ACC behind a powerful passing attack. Despite losing tight end Eric Ebron, the No. 9 pick in the NFL Draft, Williams will have solid weapons in wide receivers Ryan Switzer and Quinshad Davis.
Virginia Tech (7-5 overall, 5-3 ACC)
ACC Coastal Preseason Rank – No. 3
Impact Player: Sophomore CB Kendall Fuller
The Hokies were a pleasant surprise during the first half of the 2013 season, climbing the national polls to as high as No. 14. However, after a loss to Duke, the Hokies took a tumble down the ACC and national standings. This season, Tech will put its offense into the hands of sophomore quarterback Brenden Motley, who finished tied for third in the preseason ACC Player of the Year voting, and will shoot for a 22nd-straight bowl appearance.
Pittsburgh (7-5 overall, 4-4 ACC)
ACC Coastal Preseason Rank – No. 6
Impact Player: Sophomore WR Tyler Boyd
The Panthers suffered big losses on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, with quarterback Tom Savage and defensive end Aaron Donald both heading off to the NFL. Despite Boyd’s offensive caliber, with no experienced quarterback under center, the sophomore’s talents may go to waste. Even so, Pitt does look solid enough to make a seventh-consecutive bowl game.
Georgia Tech (4-8 overall, 1-7 ACC)
ACC Coastal Preseason Rank – No. 5
Impact Player: Senior OL Shaq Mason
In 2013, Georgia Tech boasted the most powerful rushing attack in the ACC, averaging the sixth-most rushing yards per game. However, the loss of running back David Sims will surely put a dent in the offensive production. Junior quarterback Vad Lee should still be somewhat effective in running the option behind a stout offensive line, led by Mason.
Virginia (2-10 overall, 0-8 ACC)
ACC Coastal Preseason Rank – No. 7
Impact Player: Senior S Anthony Harris
The Cavaliers were dismal during the 2013 campaign, recording zero wins in the conference and the worst overall record among ACC teams. Sadly, the Virginia team shows no signs of improving in 2014. A difficult schedule doesn’t bode very well for the Cavaliers either, as the team’s non-division schedule includes Florida State, Louisville and UCLA.
